Is Advance, IN Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A-, with 7 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
88.7/100
waterverge.com Advance, IN — Water Quality Report
Advance's drinking water received a grade of A- (88.7 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 500 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.
The system has 16 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 7 remain unresolved.
What to know about Advance's water
Advance ranks #83 out of 414 cities in Indiana for water quality, placing it above average in the state.
Advance relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff.
As a small community water system, Advance may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Advance, IN water safe to drink?
Advance's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A- (88.7/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 500 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Advance
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Advance's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (88.7/100).
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), TTHM.
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3238). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-1109). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Advance's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Advance's water system has 16 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 7 remain unresolved.
Flood & environmental risk
Boone County has experienced 3 federally declared disasters since 1991. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies. Local water sources include Prairie Creek, Sugar Creek.
Where does Advance's water come from?
Advance's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 500 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Prairie Creek (river), Sugar Creek (river).
What Advance residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Advance's water.
Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.
Advance's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.
Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Advance
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Advance, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
HENDRICKSON TRAILER SUSPENSION SYSTEMS LEBANON, IN46052 | — | — | 7.6 mi |
KEN'S FOODS LEBANON LEBANON, IN46052 | — | — | 6.9 mi |
MONOSOL-LEBANON PLANT LEBANON, IN46052 | — | — | 7.7 mi |
STALCOP METAL FORMING LLC THORNTOWN, IN46071 | — | — | 9.3 mi |
FUKAI TOYOTETSU INDIANA CORP JAMESTOWN, IN46147 | — | — | 4.7 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Flood & disaster history
Boone County has experienced 3 federally declared disasters since 1991. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 0.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Advance compares by contaminant
Explore where Advance ranks among all Indiana cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Advance's water comes from
Advance's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals.
Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds.
The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 500 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near Advance
Advance is located near 2 notable water bodies. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.
Water systems serving Advance
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADVANCE WATER WORKS | IN5206001 | 500 | GW |
How Advance compares
Full Indiana rankings →Advance's score of 88.7/100 is above the average of 70/100 among major Indiana cities. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Indiana rankings →About Advance, IN
Wikipedia →Advance is a town in Jackson Township, Boone County, Indiana, United States. The population was 503 at the 2020 census.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Advance's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Boone
Frequently asked questions
Is Advance, IN tap water safe to drink?
Advance's water quality earned a grade of A- (88.7/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #83 out of 414 cities tested in Indiana.
What contaminants are in Advance's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 16 violations are on record.
How is Advance's water quality grade calculated?
The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.
Do I need a water filter in Advance?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Advance's water come from?
Advance's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 500 residents.
Is Advance's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Advance uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 16 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.
How does Advance's water compare to other cities?
Advance ranks #83 out of 414 cities in Indiana (better than 80% of state cities) and #3330 out of 15744 cities nationally (79th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Advance's small water system affect quality?
Advance's system serves approximately 500 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 16 violations on record.